THE FRONT ROW with Jason Elliott, August 7, 2013

In her four years as Coeur d'Alene High track coach, Linda Lanker has had plenty of reasons to smile.

Five team trophies in four years will have that kind of affect on a coach.

Now, she's also being recognized by her peers as well.

LANKER WAS named the Girls Western Region Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations and Gill Athletics.

"I'm really excited," Lanker said. "It kind of caught me off guard. I'd heard I'd been nominated, but there's so many coaches in the nation. I was really happy to hear that I was the regional winner."

She's also in the running for the national award, which will be announced in a few weeks. The winner of the national award receives $5,000 to use toward the funding of their respective program.

"I was really blown away when I heard that," Lanker said. "Because our programs need so much money. We'll see though, it's an honor just to be nominated, but to the help the program, I can't say how happy I'd be."

After not finishing in the top four at state since 1992, Coeur d'Alene has returned with five trophies - including two girls runner-up and one boys second place finish.

"It's so exciting," Lanker said. "To be in a little town with not-best weather in the spring and the town we're in, it's amazing."

SOME OF the criteria involved with selecting the coach of the year is the coaches' record, honors and recognition, as well as service to the sport, school and community.

Lanker is also the hurdles coach at the Community Colleges of Spokane.

"Getting Morgan (Struble) to nationals this year was a big deal," Lanker said. "To me, seeing the kids get scholarships and them seeing a program where it's all about the kids is bigger than any trophy."

Since taking over, Lanker has had 11 athletes sign letters of intent to compete at the college level from Coeur d'Alene.

"I get so much fun and joy out of these kids going to college," Lanker said. "It gives me great joy. I'm really happy that Coeur d'Alene has been so supportive of me still remaining a junior college coach."

Lanker also worked with Post Falls Wednesday Walton, who signed with Idaho after the state meet, where she won the 300-meter hurdles in 44.61 seconds.

"That was fun for me because I got to write her a letter and working with her over the last two years," Lanker said. "If the kids want help, I'll help them and it doesn't really matter where they go to school."

Athletes have broken 12 school records since Lanker's arrival.

"We're almost there," said Lanker of a state team title. "Looking at all the trophies we've gotten, I believe it's coming. But to look at all we've accomplished, we've had so many records in the last four years."

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected].